LDS Church members contributed more than just money to support Proposition 8. The Church and its members are taking heat for their role in defining Traditional Marriage.
On June 30, 2008, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued a statement to the members of the Church in California. This statement reaffirms that the Church’s position on the matter is that, “Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the formation of families is central to the Creator’s plan for His children. Children are entitled to be born within this bond of marriage.”
This position is rooted in the doctrines professed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The highest positions of leadership in the Church are held by men who are believed to be prophets, seers, and revelators—men who have the responsibility to proclaim Christ’s Gospel on the earth today just as the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ did in ancient days.
LDS General Conference: Its Purpose and its Promise
The Church holds its general conference twice each year, and the messages given in these meetings are used to edify, uplift and inform the world-wide membership of the Church. During the Fall 1995 general conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke during the General Relief Society Meeting that was attended by millions of the women of the Church.
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
As part of this talk, President Hinckley introduced a new proclamation titled “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” The introductory paragraph gets right to the heart of the Church’s position associated with Proposition 8:
“We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children…
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.”
Given this information, it must be made clear that the Church intends these statements to be applicable to all people in every culture in every part of the world, including those people who are gay. It is also important to point out that the Church has never stated that the Church hates gay members of the Human Family.
The LDS Position on Homosexuality
Homosexuality is viewed by the church as a sexual sin in the same manner that adultery is considered a sexual sin. As affirmed above, “the sacred powers of procreation [sex] are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.” Sexual urges have to be controlled whether you are gay or not, and because gay men and women cannot legally marry, sexual urges must be controlled in the same way.
The church believes that sexual urges can be controlled. Many people argue that gay men and women have a susceptibility towards homosexual behavior—that they are born with the inclination and that they will inevitably follow through with homosexual behaviors. The Church believes that this is untrue. Other groups of people are stereotypically viewed as having a genetically predetermined susceptibility to alcoholism; others to drug and other addictions.
At the end of the day, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints profess love and acceptance to gay members of the Church, and to those who are not members. The LDS Church accepts all people.
The copyright of the article The Proposition 8 Controversy and the LDS Church in Gay/Gender Issues is owned by Joshua Nuttall. Permission to republish The Proposition 8 Controversy and the LDS Church in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I agree compleatly. Prop 8 was a good thing and i think there is still a
way we can apease all parties on this issue. Maybe not marrage but
possably a union of some kind
Dec 2, 2008 12:57 PM
Guest :
this is a tuf topick for membes every where no one whants us to tell them
that we bleve that they choise to be gay. or that we love them and dispis
there behavor. it is importent to show woere love and suport to every
member to the comuity we belong to.
Dec 2, 2008 5:39 PM
Guest :
Josh Nuttall is a PHENOMENAL writer. His perspective on this issue is a
perfect example of the stand the LDS church takes on gay marriage. I
personally struggled to take a stand on this particular issue and this is
incredibly informative and comforting. Thanks Josh!! You rock!!
Dec 2, 2008 11:01 PM
Guest :
This was a very factual and interesting article and I hope many people read
this so they can be better informed about LDS Church and their stance on
protecting the family.
Dec 3, 2008 12:14 PM
Guest :
I agree that we can all control our sexual urges for the good of society.
We choose what we think about and dwell on. We have to think something
before we act upon it. It's too bad when people excuse their thoughts and
behaviors until they become an addiction and have hit the point of no
return.
Dec 3, 2008 2:11 PM
Guest :
The article is good, Josh. I do believe that everyone comes to this earth
to work things out. It is not a stretch that some came to figure out
sexuality in a healthier light as it would be for an addict to have desires
to drink and have to work through that. Anything contrary to The Plan of
Happiness cannot be condoned by a Father who's sole purpose is our
happiness. However, happiness isn't denying what you feel either. And
sometimes the choices we make to justify how we feel, that becomes the
problem......especially if they don't bring happiness. I believe that it
is only through acknowledging, removing judgement, fostering feelings of
love, and support can anyone ever hope to work anything out. Whether it is
someone close to us, or ourselves, this applies. When we view each other,
sexually or otherwise, as "broken" we have a problem. Unfinished,
yes. The Church will always need to set the standard and explain the
rules. Our job is to understand why there are rules to begin with, and
love and support each other as we work those things out.
Dec 3, 2008 3:50 PM
Guest :
I agree with prop 8. However I also believe that anyone that believes in
the King James Bible agrees that marriage is for man and woman not for
gays! This is not just an LDS religious issue. I and my family are not LDS
and we agree that gay relationships as well as marriage is a sin! But It
was a good article. And I am In support of how the LDS Church has Stood
behind this issue.
Dec 4, 2008 10:59 AM
Guest :
I appreciate the fact that this article is to the point. Many times people
dance around the issue and are afraid to say what they really believe. If a
person believes something is wrong they need to say so openly, it is
apparent that most people in California feel that homosexuality is wrong
otherwise prop 8 would have been defeated.
Dec 4, 2008 3:11 PM
Guest :
Josh, you did an excellent service with this article. I am particularly
impressed with how you did not sound judgemental nor make the LDS church
come across as judgemental towards homosexuality. You basically implied
that we still need to love and accept one another as Jesus did. Accepting
someone does not mean that we accept or condone sinful behavior. We are
imperfect children of god who sin yet we still need to love another. I do
agree with the last comment made that it is not only controversial issue
that is addressed by LDS Church. Many religions or perhaps we should just
say "christians" would be in aggreement with this article. Good
job Josh. I am proud of you and proud to have as my brother in law.
Dec 4, 2008 10:37 PM
Guest :
As an LDS member it is more positive than most I have read as of
late...Seemed to read smoothly enough.
Dec 5, 2008 8:22 AM
Guest :
May Jesus Christ and his Church live on this earth as it did in his time.
Thanks, for a very well written report.
Dec 19, 2008 7:42 PM
Guest :
Mr. Nuttall, I found the article not to flow smoothly and in my
opinion it appeared to be written with a closed mind perspective. As a
writer imagine looking at the point of view of others as you attempt to
impress your views on them. It may also be a good idea to perform more
research, and better present your facts.
Feb 9, 2009 12:35 PM
Guest :
the article fails to comment on the money that the "lds"
illegally granted to the yes on prop 8 campain. the church is not allowed
to contribute that kind of money (not to mention all of the stetchy things
they did with it) when they are tax exempt. this is an incredibly bias
account of what happened with prop 8 and the mormon church.
Nov 23, 2008
